Scheme of Grants-in-Aid for supporting professional associations/ organisations of social scientists, companies and trusts duly registered under the Companies Act for their development

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) offers financial support to professional associations, organisations, companies, and trusts working in the field of social science research. This grant helps these bodies cover office maintenance costs and developmental needs.

The maximum grant available is ₹8,00,000 per year. You can use this money for rent, electricity, telephone bills, stationery, computer equipment, furniture, and library resources. The funding comes in two parts: 90% as the first payment and the remaining 10% after you submit your audited accounts and utilisation certificate.

Scheme of Grants-in-Aid for supporting professional associations/ organisations of social scientists, companies and trusts duly registered under the Companies Act for their development

This scheme runs under the Ministry of Education through ICSSR, the main body for social science research in India. Professional associations and research organisations get yearly support to keep their operations running smoothly. The grant covers daily office expenses like electricity charges, building rent, and communication costs. It also helps with buying books, journals, computers, and other office supplies.

You can apply for this grant every year for up to five years. After five years, the Advisory Committee reviews your work and decides whether to extend the support further. ICSSR also considers special one-time grants for organisations doing important work at the national level, or projects with innovative ideas that benefit the wider social science community.

Eligibility

Your organisation must meet these requirements to qualify for the grant:

• Must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or registered as a company under the Companies Act.
• Should have at least 200 members on a nationwide basis.
• Must have been operational for a minimum of two years before applying.
• Should be actively involved in socio-economic research objectives at national, regional, or local levels.
• Needs to submit annual reports, audited financial accounts, and member list for the past three years.

Benefits

The grant provides steady financial support to help your organisation continue its research and academic work. Here is what you get:

• Annual funding of up to ₹8,00,000 to cover regular office expenses including rent, electricity, and telephone charges.
• Support for purchasing essential items like computers, furniture, books, journals, and stationery.
• Special consideration for organisations working on SC/ST related research and development activities.
• One-time additional grants may be available for organisations of national importance or those with innovative projects.

Exclusions

Organisations focused mainly on welfare activities, extension work, or purely commercial profit-making will not qualify. The scheme is strictly for bodies engaged in genuine social science research and academic work.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to submit your application for the grant:

STEP 1 - Visit the ICSSR application portal at app.icssr.org and create a new account by registering with your email ID.

STEP 2 - Log in to your account and navigate to the Maintenance and Development Grant section from the left sidebar menu.

STEP 3 - Fill in all the required fields in the online application form and upload supporting documents in PDF format.

STEP 4 - Prepare the hard copy of your application along with all annexures (member list, audited accounts, annual reports, CV of head, and fund sources) and send it to the Publications and Research Survey Division at ICSSR, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, JNU Institutional Area, New Delhi-110067.

STEP 5 - Your application will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee of Experts who will evaluate your organisation's academic contribution and viability.

STEP 6 - Upon approval by the ICSSR Council, you will receive an award letter and can submit the Grant-in-Aid Bill to receive the first 90% installment.

STEP 7 - At the end of the year, submit your Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilisation Certificate to claim the final 10% payment.

References

View Official ICSSR Guidelines here

FAQ's

What is the maximum grant amount available?

The grant is typically up to ₹8,00,000 per year based on your organisation's membership strength and research activities.

Which expenses can be covered by this grant?

You can use the funds for office rent, electricity charges, telephone bills, stationery, computer hardware, furniture, and library resources like books and journals.

Are SC/ST related research activities supported?

Yes, organisations working on professional development or research activities related to SC/ST communities receive special consideration under this scheme.

How long can an organisation receive this grant?

The grant is given on a yearly basis for up to five years. Extension beyond five years requires review and approval by the Research Committee.

Is registration mandatory?

Yes, your organisation must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or registered as a company under the Companies Act.

Can welfare NGOs apply for this scheme?

No, organisations primarily engaged in welfare or extension work without a focus on academic social science research are not eligible.

Where should I send the hard copy of my application?

Send it to: Publications and Research Survey Division (PRS), Indian Council of Social Science Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, JNU Institutional Area, New Delhi-110067.